Boot or shoe upper and method



(No Model.)

G. A. KEITH.'

BOOT ORSHOB UPPER AND METHOD OF PREPA No. 377,391.

RING IT FOR LASTING. Patented Feb. 7, 1888.

FIG-

N. PETERs. Pmtouxhn m vm, Washington, D. c

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

CHARLES A. KEITH, OF DANVERS, MASSACHUSETTS.

BOOT 0R SHOE UPPER AND METHOD OF PREPARING IT FOR LASTING.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 377,391, dated February'7, 1888.

Application filed June 3, 1887. Serial No. 240.145. (N0 model.)

1b all whom it may concern..-

Be it known that I, CHARLES A. Kerri-r, of Danvers, in the county ofEssex and State of Massachusetts, have invented certain new and usefulImprovements in Boot or Shoe Uppers and the Method of Lasting the Same,of which the following is a specification.

This invention has forits object to facilitate the operation of lastingboot or shoe uppers; and it consists in an upper having itsabruptlycurved portions-as the toe or the heel, or bothformed bycrimping or plaiting and stitching before the lasting operation to fitthe corresponding portions of the last, so that in lasting the operatorwill have to conform only the side portions of the upper to the last,all

of which I will now proceed to describe.

Of the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification,Figure 1 represents a bottom view of a partially-formed upper embodyingmy invention. Fig. 2 represents a longitudinal section of the same online 00 m, Fig. 1. Fig. 3 represents a bottom view ofaslightly-different embodiment. Fig. 4 represents a perspective view ofthe formed toe portion.

The same letters of reference indicate the same parts in all thefigures.

In carrying out my invention I partially form an upper, a, by giving itstoo portion or its heel portion, or both, substantially the shapetheyhavein the completed boot or shoe. This partial formation I effectby forming a series of folds or plaits, b I), along the edgesof theportions of the upper to be formed, and securing said plaits by stitchess s. This may be effected by a suitable sewing-machine organized to formboth the folds or plaits b and stitches s, and such machine willconstitute the subject of a future application for Letters Patent. Thefolds or plaits arranged as shown constitute an inwardly-projectingflange on the body of the upper, and are held in place by the stitches.

The stitches 8 may be continued along the entire edge-of the upper, asshown in Fig. 3, as a means of holding a'lasting-cord, which may bedrawn through them for the purpose of drawing the side portions of theupper inwardly upon the bottom of the last during the lasting operation.The upper, partially formed, as shown, is placed upon the last, the toeand heel portions of the upper fitting those of the last and requiringno further labor on the part of the laster in conforming them to thelast, so that all the laster has to do is to conform the edges of theupper between the toe and heel to the corresponding portions of thelast. The labor of lasting is therefore materially reduced and theoperation is performed easily and quickly.

It is obvious that the vamp alone may be partially formed, as described,before it is attached to the quarters.

I claim 1. As an article of manufacture, an unlasted upper or vamphaving the edges of its toe portion turned inwardly and crimped orplaited to form an inwardly-projecting flange, and provided withbinding-stitches to hold said flange, as set forth.

2. As an article of manufacture, an unlasted upper having the edge ofits heel portion turned inwardly and crimped or plaited to form aninwardly-projecting flange, and provided with bindingstitches to holdsaid flange, as set forth.

3. As an article of manufacture, an unlasted upper having its toe andheel portions turned inwardly and crimped or plaited to forminwardly-projecting flanges, and provided with binding-stitchesextending around the edge of the upper, the stitches at the toe and heelholding said flanges, while the intermediate stitches servetoholdlastiug-cords, as set forth.

4. The method of partially forming a boot or shoe upper, consisting inturning it illwardly and folding or plaiting it at its edge to form aninwardly-projecting flange, and at the same time stitching said foldedor plaited portion to hold the folds or plaits, as set forth.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification,in thepresence of two subscribing witnesses, this 25th day of May, A. D. 1887CHARLES A. KEITH.

Witnesses:

O. F. BROWN, A. D. HARRISON.

